Maxx Crosby’s new contract was likely the final dagger to Bengals’ hopes of keeping Trey Hendrickson

To put it bluntly, Maxx Crosby got a bag.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the NFL. That’s huge, and for a player like Trey Hendrickson, it now justifies the price tag for a pivotal defensive player.

Hendrickson has had 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, and he has been among the most disruptive in the league over that span. The key difference between Crosby and Hendrickson could be age.

Crosby, who plays for the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that hasn’t seen postseason success in years, is 27 years old. Hendrickson is 30, making it a bit tougher to see his long-term efficiency.

That said, Hendrickson requested permission to seek a trade right after Crosby’s contract was released to the public. Was that a coincidence?

Probably not. Instead, it was likely the final dagger into any hope of Hendrickson getting a long-term extension in Cincinnati.

The Bengals are in a tough spot now. They clearly aren’t going to pay Hendrickson what he thinks he is worth, and now it is up to the star defensive end to see if his market is as lucrative as he believes it is.

The Bengals gave that permission to Hendrickson, and we know teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders are watching the situation. It is going to be telling where Hendrickson goes, as he’s clearly seeking one last long-term, high-profile deal.

For a player of his production, it is likely he can get that, but with Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Burrow to pay, the Bengals just aren’t in a position to make that a reality.

Ultimately, it might be Crosby’s massive contract that gives Hendrickson the confidence to test his fate elsewhere or negotiate at a lower rate to stay in Cincinnati for the long-term future.